The Legislative Council Commission, a body formed by lawmakers to discuss administrative issues, had a special meeting on Thursday at the Queensway Government Offices, following the break-in by protesters.

After the meeting, legal sector lawmaker Dennis Kwok said the Commission unanimously agreed that Legislative Council cannot resume before the summer.

“Freedom” spray painted on one of the Legislative Council’s rooms. Photo: May James.

Kwok said, on principle, democrats were unable to agree that meetings could be held outside the Legislative Council building. He said that, to hold a meeting, more than 1,000 staff members were needed for backend support.

“Which building in Hong Kong can be completely rented out to us for meetings, and which can ensure meetings will not be disturbed?” he said.

Kwok said the focus of the LegCo secretariat should be on repairing the building.

There are some livelihood matters pending discussion at the Finance Committee.

Dennis Kwok. File Photo: LegCo.

IT sector lawmaker Charles Mok said certain uncontroversial issues may be voted by way of circulars, meaning voting via written replies.

Democratic Party lawmaker Helena Wong said items such as hospital expansions, a civil servants’ salary rise, and funding to NGOs required urgent attention, and the government should discuss the matter with lawmakers as soon as possible.

“[Cheung] called us on Tuesday to say that there was no urgency for the meeting and that there would be no meeting. I want to ask the government, the chief executive, the chief secretary: how long do you want to hide?” he said. “Who are you listening to if you refuse to meet?”

Matthew Cheung. File Photo: Holmes Chan/HKFP.

Kwok said the problem cannot be solved by increasing security at the Legislative Council building, such as building more guards, walls and installing bulletproof glass.

“To prevent such incidents from happening again, [the pro-Beijing camp] needs to reflect on how they tried to forcefully push the extradition bill through by skipping all procedures,” he said.

Pro-democracy camp convener Claudia Mo said she was concerned that if some items were voted on by way of circular, the method could be abused by the pro-Beijing camp in the future.

“Over my dead body,” Mo said.

Claudia Mo. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.

The pro-Beijing camp members of the commission did not speak to reporters when they left, saying that they will speak later.

Video

Support independent media

Partner with HKFP

HKFP Weekly Newsletter

What is Hong Kong Free Press?

Hong Kong Free Press is a non-profit English language news source seeking to unite critical voices. Free and independent, HKFP launched in 2015 amid rising concerns over declining press freedom in Hong Kong and during an important time in the city’s constitutional development.
Click here to learn how you can support us and ensure our independence.